The top 345 attractions in North Rhine-Westphalia

Well the truth is I don't know how to best describe this wonder. I wanted to see it for many years and finally did this past Christmas. I can only say that is an impressive architectural marvel. As you head towards the city, you see the two massive towers approaching in the distance. It's quite exciting, really, to think that I would finally see that wonder and when at last I was standing the square. It was awesome. Then you go and explore the upper chambers and begin to see the beautiful stained glass. For me, it was an unforgettable experience.

The Hohenzollern Bridge (German: Hohenzollernbrücke) is a bridge crossing the river Rhine in the German city of Cologne (German Köln). It crosses the Rhine at kilometre 688.5. Originally, the bridge was both a railway and street bridge, however, after its destruction in 1945 and its subsequent reconstruction, it was only accessible to rail and pedestrian traffic.
It is the most heavily used railway bridge in Germany, connecting the Köln Hauptbahnhof and Köln Messe/Deutz stations.

Considered the oldest cathedral in northern Europe, the cathedral of Aachen (Aachen, Germany) is a building of great historical significance. Charlemagne had built a large palace complex built within the same octagonal church for private use. For that reason this chapel is called Palatine Chapel, the artistic exponent of political power by Charlemagne reached this cathedral walls have seen the coronation of 30 German kings in the marble throne. UNESCO declared it a world heritage site, for that reason it is very well preserved.

The Rhine Tower is a telecommunications tower in Düsseldorf, with aerials for directional radio, FM and TV. Constructed between the years 1979 and 1981, at 240.5 meters, it stands as the tallest building in Dusseldorf, but far from the 370 meters of the Berlin TV tower. It has an observatory and a revolving restaurant at 170 meters. One of the sides was designed by Horst. H Baumann, which is the world's largest digital clock.

You should definitely take a little visit to the Chocolate Museum in Cologne (Köln). It's a real pleasure. It is located on one of the islands in the Rhine river and it's very easy to get to. Once you're inside the museum, the smell of chocolate fills every room, and it's inside the museum where you can see how chocolate is made , i.e., the entire process from start to finish right up until those delicious Lindt chocolate bars are wrapped! You get to see how the machines pour the chocolate into molds, are cooled and then taken out of their molds. You can also see how tablets, etc, are made. Just in the place where you can watch the entire preparation process will find a huge chocolate fountain, where you can dip a cookie! Note that you can do that as many times as you want and pretend like you're an expert chocolate taster. Recommended sit to enjoy a cake in the museum cafe and look at the awesome views from the museum.

The Rhine, in Germany Reihn, is one of the most important rivers in Europe. It's the most important waterway in the world according to traffic density. It spans many countries (Switzerland, Austria, Leichtenstein, Germany, France and the Netherlands) and passes through major cities, like Dusseldorf. In Düsseldorf, as in Cologne, the people are very proud of the river and they enjoy it to the fullest. On the shore, there are many bars, cafes, restaurants, and also the typical German "Biergarten". During warm weather, it's great for picnics, beers or barbecues with its large green spaces.

This is a square in the historic center of Cologne, near the Rhine and the cathedral. It has a special charm. The church of St. Martin the Great was was begun in the twelfth century and finished in the nineteenth. After the 2nd World War, 95% of the old town of Cologne was destroyed. This has been, for many years, the headquarters of the House of Spain in Cologne but they now meet on Sunday in Santa Barbara in the Taku Platz. This square is therefore closely linked to Spain, because as I say, the house of Spain was here for over 25 years providing German courses and helping the Spanish that arrived here.

Once you've visited the cathedral and Ludwig Art Museum, it's a pretty nice walk. You can start your route behind the museum. After World War II, most of Cologne, except its famous cathedral, was in ruins, so the buildings at the beginning of the route are all very new. Later on, you can see the facades of several colorful buildings which have been preserved in their original state and are now home to restaurants or entertainment venues.

Cologne Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) is one of the most interesting places, especially during carnivals. It is here where all kinds of characters arrive. That in general, because I asked a lady where she had bought that mustache and said the passage of time had given it. Glup. Earth, swallow me. Or, Rhine River (a few meters) take me away ...

I went there a few days ago and, of course, went up the bell tower. It's sooooo high that I almost didn't make it, the stairs are endless. Definitely not for people ve suffer from heart problems, asthma, or knee problems. I am more or less in-shape and almost did not get there. But really, it's worth it .... It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Despite the fatigue of getting there, it is worth it to see the city from the tower. I recommend going, it really is one of the wonders of the world!!!

Altermarkt Platz is one of the most beautiful and lively places in Cologne. During Carnival medieval tournaments are held at Christmas, the market is one of the least touristy and most authentic. In summer its lively terraces invite you to have an ice cream in the sun and are always lively. As a curiosity it may seem like construction works are going on, but it is rather an important archaeological excavation, as this city has in its subsoil many Roman remains. Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium was one of the most important Roman cities of Central Europe.

The Museum Ludwig in Cologne is a sightseeing must while in Cologne if you like modern art. Expressionism, Russian art, Picasso, pop art and the latest trends, are some works among its German doors. The museum is so named because Ludwig donated more than three hundred of his works of art to be publicly exhibited. The museum is very close to the Cathedral and in addition to the permanent works, there are also temporary exhibitions. When I was there, there was an exhibition on comics and a Picasso print exhibit.

The house of Beethoven (Beethoven-Haus) is one of the most characteristic monuments of Bonn. It's the birthplace of the great composer, and is divided into several rooms that look at the life and work of the composer. Though Beethoven had a lot of homes, this one is important because he was actually born in one of the rooms. During the tour, it explains that he lived in 60 different houses. The audio-guide, that gives meticulous details, has intertwined tracks that you can play while rummaging around the house-museum. The house is the main archive centre on the life, work and the intellectual circle which surrounded Beethoven and it also has a specialized library.

This is a stunning museum that accurately recounts the evolution of Nazism in Germany. The holding cells and the bathroom will leave you speechless. Imagining what the prisoners must've endured with make you leave with a lump in your throat. There are audio guides in several languages ​​including English and Spanish that tell you what was in each of the rooms, there are several, from the beginning of the Nazi movement until the end of the WWII, with the fall of Germany. There's a major photographic exhibition in Cologne if you miss this museum, which will give you a clearer picture of the beginning, rise and fall of Nazism.

Situated on the main square stands the Cathedral of the city of Bonn, Bonn Minster. With a late Romanesque facade, inside the building there are elements of Gothic and Romanesque styles, but the decoration is mostly Baroque. From my point of view is prettier from the outside than inside. An unmissable visit if you go to Bonn.

We went to Dortmund because we passed through it on our way to Anroche and we thought it would be a good stop to eat and explore the city, one of the most important in the region. It's not especially pretty or big, especially after visiting Dusseldorf or Cologne, but it has charm. The pedestrian streets are full of shops where you can check out the prices and the latest German fashion, which is increasingly similar to Spanish fashion. Plus it offers plenty to eat.

Nearly all German cities have these markets and Cologne is no exception. From mid-November until January, a large flea market takes place in the main square (in this case next to the famous cathedral), where adults and children have fun and spend many hours. First, is a spot of shopping, where one can find accessories for women from necklaces, earrings and bracelets to candles and original decorative gifts, even cookie cutters. It is the perfect place to buy traditional gifts. Moreover, the market also opened as a meeting and entertainment space. It is amazing how, despite the cold temperatures, the inhabitants of Cologne come out every night to the Christmas market to meet friends etc. It is very common to eat sausages or pancakes in the cold weather. However, what is consumed the most is a kind of hot wine, I suppose to forget the cold... it is usually served in a steaming cup which represents Christmas and new ones are made every year. I guess that some people's kitchen cabinets are filled with these souvenir cups ...